BOX SCORE

(CHARLOTTE, N.C.) The Lady Bulldogs of Bowie State University had a relatively easy time defeating the Johnson C. Smith University Lady Golden Bulls 49-36. The win, BSU's fourth in a row, completes the season sweep of JCSU and improves the Lady Bulldogs record to 8-4 overall and 8-2 in the CIAA.

In tonight's matchup, neither team managed to score until 18:49 mark. A two-point play from junior point guard Tyra Breaux (Baltimore, Md.) gave Johnson C. Smith their first bucket. As the Lady Golden Bulls' defense struggled to stop penetration, it allowed the Lady Bulldogs a chance to capitalize and score. 

With 5:49 on the clock, a drive to the basket by senior guard Shontanette Shaw (Raeford, N.C.) put an end to the Lady Bulldogs 14-0 run, which lasted approximately eight minutes. A big turning point, with 2:05 left in the half Bowie State junior Brittney Jackson (Laurel, MD, Laurel) turned the ball over; which led to a steal and basket by Breaux. 

Going into the break, the Lady Golden Bulls recorded a first half season low 15 points. At the half, Johnson C. Smith trailed 23-15 and only shot 18.8% from the field (6-of-32). Bowie State's Lady Bulldogs were led by senior guard Bianca Lee (Temple Hills, MD, Archbishop Carroll) with nine points. Breaux accounted for six for the team's 15 points in the opening. 

In the second half, the Lady Bulldogs appeared to be more aggressive and full of energy. Bowie State expanded an eight-point lead to 21 with 8:59 remaining. Three consecutive three-pointers, two by junior point guard Shakeena Cunningham (Buffalo, N.Y.) and one by Breaux swung the momentum in JCSU's favor briefly. 

Johnson C. Smith (12-4 / 5-4 CIAA) could not gain the lead in the second period, and ironically fell to Bowie State by the same score as the 2009 CIAA Championship Game (49-36), accept on the losing end. 

Breaux finished with a team-high 13 points, six rebounds, and three steals. Cunningham had six points, followed by a 12 rebound, one-point performance from junior forward/center Brittane Neely (Arlington, Va.). JCSU concluded the night shooting 20.6% from the floor (13-of-63). 

Lee was the top scorer for Bowie State with 17 points and three assists. Sophomore Juliette Turner (Silver Spring, MD, John F. Kennedy) added nine points to go along with a team-high 11 rebounds and junior Teaunsha Robinson (Baltimore, MD, Baltimore Polytechnic) hauled down 10 rebounds. 

Bowie State returns to the hardwood – Saturday (January 23) hosting the Saint Augustine's College Lady Falcons at 5:30 p.m. in BSU's A.C. Jordan Arena.